A proposal that would increase recycling requirements is coming before the City Council for review and approval. Although the topic has appeared on Open City Hall before, the Council may consider some changes and would like to know what you think of the proposal.

The Council supports diverting as much waste from the landfill as possible, and commercial and multi-family buildings generate a significant amount of waste that is needlessly thrown out when it could be recycled. Currently, the City provides recycling service automatically to single family and duplex residences. However, over the years, the Council has received many requests from residents of multi-unit buildings and business employees for recycling services, too.

For people who live in multi-unit condo or apartment complexes, recycling service is harder to come by. The same goes for businesses – although businesses and apartment owners can contract for recycling collection, there is currently no requirement for them to participate.

An update to City law would change that, making it mandatory for businesses, apartment complex owners, and condominium home owners associations to provide recycling service – with some exceptions.

For more information on the proposed changes, and how they would be phased in, read the Council Staff report here, and Mayor’s original proposal here.

Absolutely! Many businesses use lots of cardboard packaging – paper is one of the easiest things to recycle!
And, of course, anytime you have a concentrated group of people you are creating more waste that should be sorted and kept from the landfill.